The fourth annual Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards contribute to building the supplier development ecosystem in Africa. The Awards recognize and celebrate companies utilizing Supplier Development to build transformative supply chains.
Vusi Fele, Absa Group’s chief procurement officer, says the awards reflect the importance of supplier development, particularly in the current South African context of Covid-19. He says that increasing opportunities for SMEs to access corporate supply and delivery chains is one of the most efficient ways in which corporate can contribute to sustainable development. Further, this will be crucial for economic recovery after Covid-19.
This year, the programme consists of online Africa-wide Supplier Development Dialogues, with a focus on the growth of SMMEs.
Catherine Wijnberg, one of the co-founders of the awards, states that past award winners highlight that when supplier development is treated as a strategic business imperative, competitive advantage is strengthened. She says that this leads to healthier supply chains that can produce employment during tough economic times such as the global pandemic.
“We are delighted with the growing strength of the Awards and pleased that the Supplier Development ecosystem will now extend into Africa,” says Wijnberg.
The 2021 winners of the Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards will be announced on 18 November 2021. Entries can be submitted online at: https://sdawards.co.za/